Drafting machine



Sept. '16, 1941. H. WIEDEMANN DRAFTING MACHINE- Filed NOV.- 2, 1959 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 16, y1941 DRAFTING MACHINE Hans Wiedemann, West New York, N. J., assigner to I {euflel a; Esser Company, Hoboken, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Appucanon November z, 1939, serial No. 302,518

(ci. ca -'19) 16 Claims.

.This invention relates generally to parallel motion drafting devices of the kind in which the several tools which the draftsman handles most frequently are embodied, in principle, in one unitv to obviate the'necessity of a draftsman reaching about for a required tool and thereby enabling the draftsman to keep his attention concentrated directly upon the drawing.

Drafting devices of this character are common in which adjacent ends of two arms are pivoted together, the free end of one arm being secured to the remote side of a drafting board while the free end of the other.arm is provided with a head comprising a protractor` and straight edges which are in fixed angular relation and move about the center of the protractor as an axis. Such straight edges have heretofore been so associated with the protractor as to be set and locked at any angle of the protractor or to be automatically stopped at predetermined intervals. However, the instrumentalities effecting the setting of the straight edges with respect to readings on the protractor have been characterized by difficulty in the manual actuation of the locking device because of its inaccessibility.

One object of the present invention is a drafting device of the character described, wherein the locking devices for the straight edges are readily accessible for manipulation without moving the hand from the actuating knob on the protractor head.

The invention also has for one of its objects locking and stop mechanism f or the protractor which may conveniently be actuated by either the thumb or a finger, as found most convenient, of the hand manipulating the knob to move the protractor to the desired relative position. In carrying this aspect of the invention into effect, a rotatable wheel is preferably provided on the knob, which is movable in either direction to unlatch the straight edges and permit them to be moved freely to any angular position but which, on release, will effect locking of the protractor at the nearest' even predetermined position.

Another object of the invention is to return the rotatable wheel on the knob to initial position whenever it is released by the operator. Accordingly, power is stored in power vstoring devices when the wheel is moved from initial position which is utilized to return the wheel.

The invention further `seeks to lock the protractor at any angle or to retain the protractor released for movement at will. To this end,

ing three positions, one a position in which the protractor is free for control by the wheel controlled latching device, a second in which the wheel controlled latching device is retained in inoperative position and a third position in which the protractor is clamped or otherwise held at any Position selected by the draftsman.

f 'I'he invention also resides in the details of construction by which the drafting device is made practical from the standpoint of ease and convenience in manufacture and durability and facility in use.

These and other objects of the invention and y the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating one embodiment by which the invention may be realized, and ln which:

Figure 1 is a view showing the head of the drafting device of this invention in vertical section;

Figure 2 is a view, looking from above, and illustrating the drafting head of Figure l, parts being broken away to show details vof construction Figure 3 isa view showing a clamping device by which theA protractor may be securedat any intermediate position; and

Figure 4is a detail view of the latch actuating mechanism.

Referring iirst to Figure 1, it will/ be noted that aknob I0 is turnable relative to the end of the arm I2 to adjust the position of straight edges (not shown) carried on the frame member I4 with respect to the arm I2. The arm I2 is illustrated as consisting generally of a pair of spaced tubular connecting members I3 through which the flexible belt Il passes, as will be understood. 'I'he member I2 is formed with a semicylindrical outer wall Il and an inner flange 20 defining a space to receive a pulley 2l. Obviously the arms may assume any convenient structural shape. y

The arm end IZis provided, substantially concentric with the end wall Il, with a downwardly extending cylindrical boss or ange 22 and an axial aperture or bore 24 therewithin. Within this wall 22 is mounted an anti-friction device 23 in which turns the journal 25 of the pulley 2|. In a wheel and band type drafting machine the pulley is rela-tively iixed in orientation. The journal 25 is formed with abore 2I for the pivot pin 2l which is connected at its upper end to supplemental locking devices are providedV havthefhand knb l and at R8 10WF end iS Secured to the frame member I4 supporting the straight edges (not shown).

yThe knob ||i is recessed, as at 3|, and receives a frame comprised of the peripheral annular wall 33 and bottom wall 35. The wall 33 is formed with a threaded aperture receiving a screw 31 by which the knob I and frame 33, 35 are united. The bottom wall 35 is upwardly offset centrally as at 34 to afford space for the lower nut.4| and is apertured to receive the pivot pin 23, the former being clamped to the latterl by the nuts 4|. Thus, when the knob l0 is turned, the pivot pin 28 turns with it and turns the straight edge frame i4.

The straight edge frameV member I4 lies -inv parallel relationship to the bottom of the pul-v ley 2| with respect to which it is capable o! turning and is, conveniently although not necessarily, in substantially the shape of a triangular plate, as shown in Figure 2, having an arm 43 extend# ing in one direction and an arm 44 extending in a direction generally perpendicular thereto, the arms 43 and 44 being adapted to removably receive the straight edges, as will be understood. The frame |4 thus turns with the knob l0 and also is able to turn with respect to the pulley 2| of iixed orientation. Latch means are provided to lock the straight edge frame I4 and pulley 2| together for maintaining the proper relationship with the lines on the drawing.

The pulley 2| is provided with a groove 48 for the endless belt 41 and is rabbeted in its lower peripheral edge as at 48. Disposed within the rabbeted portion 48 and fixed to the pulley 2| is an annular plate 50 formed in its periphery at predetermined intervals with locking recesses 5| (Figure 2) said recesses 5| bearing a definite relation to the graduations on the protractor 52 also xed to the pulley whereby, in conjunction with cooperating locking devices 5|, 53 about to be described, the straight edges may be fixed with respect to the protractor 52 at predetermined successive i'ntervalasuch as every ilfteen degrees, with respect to anindex as determined, say, on a vernier plate A54 carried with the frame |4. As a matter of fact,-the position of the protractor 52 is more or. less determined by the position of the pulley 2l and the band 41. The frame I4 which 'carries the straight edges is movable relative to the protractor as well as the pulley to which the protractor 52 and plate 5B are attached and the angular position of the vstraight edges withv respect to lines on the drawing is determined by the engagement' of the cooperating locking device or latch 53 (Figure 4) in a predetermined recess 5l It is contemplated that this cooperating locking device shall, in some circumstances, automatically snap into a recess 5| and thus permit a ready location of the straight edges through predetermined angles,

such as angles of 15 or multiples thereof. Thus, i

the straight edge carrying` frame I4 may be said to be relatively iixed with respect to the latching ,plate 50.

The cooperating latching member is shown in greater detail in Figures 2 and 4 as an angularly shaped lever 53 formed with {aldetent 55 at its one end which is shaped as to enter into and position itself in'one of the recesses 5|. The

other extremity 51 of the arm 53 is formed with an aperture 58 for reception on a pin 5l mountf A ed -on the triangular plate I4. The lever 53 isA urged toward the iatching plate 5l by the en'-A gagement of a pin 52 carriedby the end ol a link 53 slidable in ar'slotor' groove 54, formed the slide 53 inwardly to draw the latchlng lever Y 53 into engagement with the latching disc 50.

The roller 55 beneath the inner end of slide 53 is adapted to be engaged by a cam 18 carried on the lower end of the shaft means shown as a pin 8l freely rotatable within a bore 83 in the pivot 23. The cam 19 is circular but has a low spot and it will beunderstood that when the low spot 38 is in register with the roller 55,

the spring 11 is permitted to draw the slide 53 Y toward pin 8| to bring the latch 53 in engagement with the latching plate 58. 'I'he lever is forced out of engagement with the latching plate 50 when the dwell of the cam 18 moves the slide outwardly.

' In order to turn the pin 8|, an arm 85 is fastened to the squared upper end 88 thereof, which arm extends through a cut-away portion 88 -oi. the wall 33 of the frame 33, 35 and nts into a recess 89 in what may be termed a star' wheel 9D having, conveniently, a plurality ol spaced' spokes 92 which may be engaged by a thumb or finger of the hand engaging the knob |8` and be rotated to rotate the pin 8| and thereby causing the cam 19 to advance the slide 53 against the action of the power storing means 11. The slot 88 is of a predetermined width and is so positioned relative to the pin 8| that the cam 19 has a predetermined limited movement so that the roller 55 never rides completely on to the dwell as shown in Figure 4. By this dis- A position of parts, so soon as the hand wheel 9D is released, the tendency of the roller 65, under the iniiuence ofthe spring 11, is to roll down into the low spot 80, thereby causing the cam 19 to turn and return the wheel 98 to initial position. Obviously. the cam 19 will actuate the latch 58 in either direction of rotation of the cam. When the star wheel `92 is released, the power storing means 11 will return the latch into latching engagement'with the latching plate 59.

In order to hold the straight edge at points intermediate the registering positions of the notches 5i, a clamping lever 95 is provided which, since it is relatively rarely used, is carried, in the illustrated embodiment, at a low point as on the frame I4. This lever is secured to a threaded member or shaft 81 located in the frame' i4 and carries a clamping member 88 adapted to engage the' plate 50 when the handle 95 is turned to clamp the lparts together. At the lower end of shaft 91 is iixed a cam 99 in the plane of lever 69. This cam is so shaped that it is out of contact with lever 69 when the handle is in the dot and dash line position indicated by the Roman numeral I of Figure 4.' When the handle 85 is turned to the position indicated by the Roman numeral II, the cam 98 engages the lever arm 58 to rotate the lever about its pivot 1| and move and hold the latch 53 out of engagement causes the screw 91 to travel downwardly in its' horizontal circumference-of the knob and movbearing.l as viewed in Figure 3. to bring the clamping member $8 into clamping engagement with the plate.

The operation of the device is apparent from the foregoing description. Sumce it to say that, for the first time. a draftsman may release the straight edges for turning by the knob without removing his hand from its accustomed position on the knob and by any finger or thumb of that hand which he finds most convenient.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in the composition, configuration and disposition of the component elements going to make up the invention as'a whole as well as in the selection and combination of features to accomplish the results sought, and no limitation is intended by the phraseology of the foregoing description or illustrations in the accompanying drawing, except as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a drafting machine head, in combination, a relatively fixed latching plate, a pivot pin supported in the head, a straight edge supporting frame carried by the pivot pin, a knob for manual engagement carried by the pivot, pin, a latch lever pivotally carried with the frame and coacting with the latching plate, a shaft rotatably carried longitudinally by the pivot pin, a cam on the shaft, a slide operatively connected with the latching lever, a roller on the slide for engagement by the cam, power storing means to move the roller against the cam, an arm on the `shaft and a star wheel rotatable on the knob and operatively connected with the arm.

2. In a drafting machine head, in combination, a relatively nxed latching plate, a pivot pin rotatably supported in the head, a straight edge supporting frame carried by the pivot pin, a knob for manual engagement carried by the pivot pin, a latch lever pivotally carried with the frame and coacting with the latching plate, a shaft rotatably carried longitudinally of the pivot pin, a cam carried by the lower end of the shaft, a slide operatively connected with the latching lever and engaged by the cam, tension means urging the slide4 into engagement with the cam, an arm on the other end of the shaft, a star wheel rotatably mounted on the knob and meansA operatively connecting the star wheel with the last named arm.

3. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively fixed in orientation, straight edge supporting means relatively movable with respect to the relatively fixed means, a latching plate carried with one of said means, a latch car.. ried with the other of said means and coacting with the latching plate, a pivoted arm to actuate the latch, a screw shaft threaded into the supporting means, a clamping member carried thereby and movable, upon rotation of the shaft, into clamping engagement with the latching plate and a cam carried by the shaft and movable upon initial rotation of the shaft into engagement with the arm to retain the latch in inoperative position.

4. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively fixed in orientation, a straight edge supporting means rotatably mounted on the head, a hand knob to rotate the straight edge supporting means, a latching plate carried by one of said means, a latch lever pivotally carried by the other of said means and coacting with the plate, a reciprocating member operatively connected with the latch lever, a manually actuatable means carried by the knob extending beyond the able along said circumference and operative connections between the circumferentially movable member and the reciprocating member converting the circumferential movement of the circumferentially movable member into a movement of translation of the reciprocating member whereby the latch is actuated.

5. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively nxed in orientation, straight edge supporting. means rotatably mounted on the head, a hand knob to rotate the straight edge supporting means, a latching plate carried by one of said means, alatch leverv pivotally carried by the other of said means and coasting with the plate, power storing means to urge the latching lever into coasting relationship with the plate, a reciprocating member operatively connected with the latch lever, a manually actuatable means carried by the knob extending beyond the horizontal circumference of the knob and movable along said circumference and operative connections between the circumferentially movable member and the reciprocating member converting the circumferential movement of the circumferentially movable member into a movement of translation of the reciprocating member whereby the latch is actuated.

6. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively fixed in orientation, straight edge supporting means relatively movable with respect to the relatively fixed means, a latching plate carried by one means, a latch carried by the other means and coacting with the latching plate, a pivoted arm, a slide operatively connected to the pivoted arm and to the latch, means to reciprocate the slide to actuate the latch and a cam rotatable into engagement with the arm to retain the latch' in inoperative position.

7. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively xed in orientation, straight edge supporting means relatively movable with respect to the relatively flxed means, a latching plate carried by one of said means, a latch carried by the other of said means and coacting with the latching plate, a pivoted arm formed with a notch, a slide operatively connected to the pivoted arm and to the latch, means to reciprocate the slide to actuate the latch and a cam having a portion movable into engagement with the notch in the arm to retain the latch in inoperative position.

8. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively fixed in orientation, a straight edge supporting means rotatably mounted on the head, a hand knob to rotate the supporting means, a latching plate carried by one of said means, a latch lever pivotally carried by the other of said means and coacting with the plate, power storing means to urge the latching lever into coacting relationship with the plate, a reciprocable member operatively connected with the latch lever, a manually actuatable circumferentially movable member on the knob and cam means rotatedby the circumferentially movable member and engaging and reciprocating the reciprocable member whereby the latch is actuated.

9. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively fixed in orientation, straight edge supporting means relatively movable with respect to the relatively xed means. a latching plate carried by one of said means, latching means carried by the other of said means and coactingy with the latching plate, a first cam means cperativelyrconnected with the latching means,

carried by one of said means, a knob to move they supporting means, latching means carried by the other of said means and `coacting with the latching plate, means accessible on the knob andoperative connections between said means and the iatching means to actuate the latching means and cam means independently movable to move the latching means to inoperative position.

1l. In a drafting machine head, in combination, means relatively fixed in orientation, straight edge supporting means, a knob for manual engagement to rotate the said supporting means with respect to the relatively ilxed means, a latching plate carried by one oi said means, a latch carried by the other oi said means and coacting with the latching plate, means circumferentially spaced along and extending outwardly from the horizontal periphery ot the knob, means to support said last named means with provision for movement circumferentially oi the knob and operative connections between the said circumferentially spaced means and the latch whereby the latch is actuated by circumferential movement of the spaced means.

12. In a drafting machine head, in combination, a member relatively fixed in orientation, a straight edge supporting frame rotatably mounted on the head, means to latch the said frame to said relatively xed member, a knob to rotate said frame and means carried by the knob extending beyond the horizontal circumference of they knob and movable along said circumference operative at any position on the circumference of said knob to release said latching means.

13. In a drafting machine head, in combination, a member relatively xed' in orientation, a straight edge supporting trame rotatably mounted on the head, means to latch said frame to said relatively xed member, a knob to rotate said frame, means extending circumferentially of said knob and movable in either direction ,circumferentially of the knob, operative connections between the circumferentially extending means and theA latch means to release said latch means upon circumferential movement of the circumfereniially extending means in either direction.

14. In a drafting machine head, in combination, a member relatively xed in orientation, a

straight edge supporting frame mounted for rotation with reference to said relatively fixed mem.. ber, a hand knob xed to said frame, an annular member concentric with and surrounding the horizontal periphery of said knob, means to latch said frame to said relatively fixed member controlled by said annular member.

l5. A protractor head comprising a pulley, a protractor and a notched plate fixed to said pulley. a tubular pivot pin iournalled in said pulley, a straight edge supporting frame ixed to said pivot pin, a lever pivoted on said frame having a detent to engage in a notch of said notched plate, a reciprocable link carried by said trame one end oi' which is attached to said detent lever, a second lever pivoted on said irame,.and jointed to said link, a spring coacting with said second lever to cause the detent to enter a notch in the notched plate, a pin within said tubular pivot pin, a cam on one end of said pin cooperating with said reciprocable link to disengage said detent, a knob xed to said tubular pivot pin lor .rotating said frame, an annular member en- Icircling said knob, and a lever between said pin and the annular member whereby angular movement of the annular member will release the frame for rotary movement, and an index on the frame associated with the protractor to indicate the extent of rotation of the frame.

16. A protractor head comprising a pulley, a protractor and a notched plate ilxed to said pulley, a tubular pivot pin journalled in said pulley, a straight edge supporting frame fixed to said pivot pin, a lever pivoted on said frame having a detent to engage in a notch of said notched plate,.a reciprocable link carried by said frame one end of which is attached to said detent lever, a second lever pivoted on said frame, and jointed to said link, a spring coacting with said second lever to cause the detent to enter a notch in the notched plate, a pin within said tubular pivot pin, a-cam on one end of said pin cooperating with said reciprocable link to disengage said detent, a second camA to engage said second lever to retain the detent out oi contact with the notched plate, a knob fixed to the end of said tubular pivot pin for rotating said frame, an annular member encircling said knob and a lever between said pin and the annular member whereby angular movement of the annular member will release the frame for rotary movement and an index on the frame associated with the protractor to indicate the extent of rotation of the frame.

' HANS WIEDEMANN.

DISCLAIMER 2,256,445.Hans Wiedemann, West New York, N. J. DRAFTING MACHINE. Patent dated September 16, 1941. Disclaimer filed September-14, 1944, by the assignee, Ke'ufel c Esser Company, and the inventor. Heeby enter thisdisclaimer to claims 4 and 5 in said specification.

[Oficial Gazette October 10, 1.944.] 

